Toronto Santa Claus Parade 2013: Where to get a view and how to avoid the road closures

With the chill in the air comes the holiday season. In Toronto, that means the coming of the Santa Claus Parade — now in its 109th year.

It also means traffic headaches for anyone trying to drive downtown on Sunday.

This year, the parade comes with the added traffic challenge of the first-ever “Holly Jolly 5-km Fun Run,” which kicks off 30 minutes before the parade begins.

Beginning at 12 p.m. on Bloor Street, just east of Bathurst Street, the 2,000-person Fun Run follows the 5-km parade route. All runners, whose enrolment payments of $100 help fund the parade, get hats and mittens before the race.

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“For the safety of runners and parade attendees, spectators are asked to ensure that children and all personal belongings are off the roadway as of 11:50 a.m.” Toronto police said in a statement.

The parade begins at 12:30 p.m. and is set to run for 2.5 hours, rain or shine.

These streets will be closed at the following times:

Bloor Street West: Ossington Avenue to Christie Street at 8 a.m.

Bloor Street West: Christie Street to Bathurst Street at 10 a.m.

Bloor Street West: Bathurst Street to Bay Street at 10:45 a.m.

Avenue Road: Davenport Road to College Street at 10:45 a.m.

University Avenue: College Street to Dundas Street at 11 a.m.

University Avenue: Dundas Street to Front Street at 11:15 a.m.

Wellington Street: University Avenue to Jarvis Street at 11:30 a.m.

Front Street: Bay Street to Jarvis Street at 11:45 a.m.

The parade starts at Bloor Street West and Christie Street and can be tracked on the following route:

Eastbound: Bloor Street West

Southbound: Queen’s Park Crescent East

Southbound: University Avenue

Eastbound: Wellington Street West

Eastbound: Front Street East, finishing at Jarvis Street

Drivers should anticipate delays in the area of the parade and are advised to take alternative routes to avoid road closures. Public transportation will be running and is the suggested form of transportation for onlookers.

Motorists take note: cars parked on the parade route will begin being towed at 6 a.m. on Sunday morning.